East St. Louis Township hires politician to shovel inch of snow
East St. Louis Township hires politician to shovel inch of snow
East St. Louis Township paid $550 to a politician, who had previously spent four years in federal prison for tax evasion, to clear an inch of snow from the township's parking lot - a task he didn't even complete.
Possible mismanagement costs Saline County taxpayers more than $1M
Possible mismanagement costs Saline County taxpayers more than $1M
A forensic audit reveals Saline County lost $1 million in funds through possible mismanagement.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois state lawmaker introduces bill to ban kratom
Illinois state lawmaker introduces bill to ban kratom
The herbal supplement is already prohibited for Illinoisans under the age of 18.
By Vincent Caruso
Sente bill bans tackle football for Illinoisans under age 12
Sente bill bans tackle football for Illinoisans under age 12
State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, filed House Bill 4341 Jan. 25. The bill would create the CTE Prevention Act, and ban children under 12 years old from playing organized youth football.
By Brendan Bakala
3 McHenry County townships now under investigation
3 McHenry County townships now under investigation
The McHenry County state's attorney's office is investigating Nunda and Grafton townships for illegal misuse of taxpayer money, making them the second and third townships - after Algonquin Township - to be under investigation in McHenry County.
Former Markham mayor pleads guilty for part in $300,000 bribery scheme
Former Markham mayor pleads guilty for part in $300,000 bribery scheme
The agreement stated former Markham Mayor David Webb steered city projects to those who bribed him.
By Brendan Bakala
Investigation: CPS employees stole gift cards meant for students
Investigation: CPS employees stole gift cards meant for students
From 2013 to 2016, Chicago Public Schools purchased more than $250,600 worth of gift cards, most of which were meant for students and families. But CPS employees stole some of them, according to the inspector general’s office.
By Brendan Bakala
Study: Illinois among states prone to lawmakers with conflicts of interest
Study: Illinois among states prone to lawmakers with conflicts of interest
The Land of Lincoln is rich with lawmakers’ penchant for self-enrichment, according to a report from the Center for Public Integrity.
By Vincent Caruso
New proposal would free General Assembly watchdog to pursue investigations without lawmaker approval
New proposal would free General Assembly watchdog to pursue investigations without lawmaker approval
A bureaucratic barrier that stifles investigations into lawmakers’ ethical violations would be nixed under a newly proposed law.
By Vincent Caruso
Corruption watchdog: Markham mayor approved his own pay raise
Corruption watchdog: Markham mayor approved his own pay raise
A new report alleges Markham Mayor Pro Tem Ernest Blevins illegally hiked his own salary.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago Public Schools CEO resigns following ethics investigation
Chicago Public Schools CEO resigns following ethics investigation
Forrest Claypool will step down as the head of Chicago Public Schools after the CPS inspector general recommended his firing.
By Brendan Bakala
In a tough year, some new Illinois laws to welcome
In a tough year, some new Illinois laws to welcome
While 2017 was a bad year for Illinois taxpayers, there are bright spots among the bills that passed the General Assembly.
More needless referendums to crowd Chicago ballot in 2018
More needless referendums to crowd Chicago ballot in 2018
Chicago City Council continues its tradition of putting popular but toothless measures on the ballot to protect incumbent power and block real reform.
By Chris Lentino
Give thanks for Englewood’s chess champions
Give thanks for Englewood’s chess champions
One South Side success story is fighting for its future.
By Austin Berg